Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. The talented J.R.R. Tolkien owns the characters and Peter Jackson owns the movie from which I got the idea for this fic.
Author's Notes: ::squeals:: I got more reviews!!! I'm really happy 'cause usually, people don't review. Anyway, right. Thank you's.
To Jan: I'm glad you think my fic has potential! And about following the movie so closely, it's because this is my first time writing LotR fiction and I'm a little nervous. But there's going to be a big original moment soon.
To DisenchantedFaerie: I'm so glad you like it! And there's going to be a big Aragorn/Legolas moment near the end of this chapter. Enjoy!
To Shaan Lien: I realized about the spacing a bit too late but it has been fixed now. Thanks for your comment. And please don't apologize for my flame; it made my whole day a whole lot funnier. I just thought it was ridiculous that someone would waste their time reading a story with a ship they didn't like when there was fair warning right in the summary. And I'll try to stick to the characters more. Like I said above, I'm a little nervous because this is my first LotR fiction. I hope you'll keep reading the story!
To Nicole: I'm so glad you like! I hope you'll like this chapter just as much as the others!
To Shadow: I'm so happy you felt driven to review for chapter 2 when you were too lazy to do so for chapter 1! Lol. I do that all the time. ;-) Hope you enjoy this chapter!!!
To Shadow Dreamer: Oh my gosh, I soooooo love you! Haha, I just read your review and it made me so happy! Yay! I'm wicked thrilled you like my fic! Everyone's been so nice to me!!! I'm like giggling like an idiot now and I have no idea whatsoever why . . . And I'm still laughing over the flame! I'll find myself thinking about it and laughing when everyone else around me is totally silent. Anyway, I hope you'll like this chapter as much as you liked the first and second!!!
To Elf-Formally-Known-as-Legolas: I'm glad you like the story! And I know this next question's gonna seem, like, really, really naïve and stuff, but, I see the term "lemony" all the time, I'm just not too sure what it means! If you could give me a basic definition, then I could tell you. Hope you enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 3: We Find It's Most Relaxing
The Fellowship burst into the daylight, sharply contrasting the inky blackness of the Mines. Legolas glanced around; everyone was grieving. Sam sat down on the ground and placed his head in his hands, weeping. Pippin was lying on the ground, sobbing, as Merry sought to comfort him. Boromir tried unsuccessfully to restrain Gimli as he vented out his rage and sorrow. Legolas himself felt a loss. He was shocked, and unbelieving. He looked over to see Aragorn resheathing his sword and turning to the others.
"Legolas, get them up," Aragorn commanded. He gave Legolas a meaningful look, to which Legolas stared blankly back.
"Give them a moment, for pity's sake!" Boromir pleased, on the verge of tears.
"By nightfall, these hills will be swarming with Orcs!" Aragorn replied angrily. "We must reach the woods of Lothlórien. Come, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up."
The Ranger knelt down and lifted Sam to his feet.
"On your feet, Sam," he said gently. He stood up and looked around. "Frodo? Frodo!"
Legolas turned to see a single tear run down Frodo's cheek.
Legolas and the others jogged lightly into the forest of Lothlórien. Legolas leapt over a fallen log to catch up to Aragorn. The Ranger turned and looked at Legolas.
"Legolas. Legolas!" Startled, the Elf looked over at his love. "Are you all right?"
Numbly, Legolas nodded.
"I'm fine," he replied. Aragorn didn't look so sure.
"I want to talk to you as soon as we're alone," Aragorn requested. Again, Legolas nodded.
Suddenly, the Company found themselves with a face full of bows and arrows. Legolas whipped his bow off his quiver and notched an arrow with lightening speed as the others drew their weapons.
"Oh," Gimli breathed in surprise. A tall, blonde Elf appeared from the throng of archers.
"The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark," he said as a greeting. Legolas's mouth quirked upwards into a smirk as Gimli growled. These were his kind of people.
They were taken to a platform to wait. Finally, the Elf that had led them here appeared again. He stepped up to Legolas first.
"Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion," (Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil) he greeted in Elvish.
"Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien," (Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lórien) Legolas replied, giving a little half bow. Haldir then turned his gaze to Aragorn, who was standing a few feet away from Legolas.
"A, Aragorn in Dúnedain, istannen le ammen," (Oh, Aragorn of the Dúnedain, you are known to us) Haldir remarked.
"Haldir," Aragorn answered.
"So much for the legendary courtesy of the elves!" Gimli growled. "Speak words we can all understand!"
"We have not had dealings with the dwarves since the Dark Days," Haldir told the dwarf with disdain.
"And do you know what this dwarf says to that?" Gimli answered. "Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!"
Aragorn rolled his eyes and turned to Gimli, grasping the dwarf's jacket.
"That was not so courteous," Aragorn hissed. Haldir turned and looked at Frodo.
"You bring great evil with you," Haldir told the hobbit. He then turned back to Aragorn. "You can go no further." He pivoted and walked away. Legolas saw Sam and Pippin both looked at Frodo. The hobbit looked slightly uncomfortable.
Later
Aragorn was arguing angrily with Haldir as Legolas stood nearby, his back to the conversation. He could still hear most of the conversation, however.
"Boe ammen veriad lîn," (We need your protection) Aragorn said. "Andelu i ven!" (The road is fell!)
Haldir whispered inaudibly back to Aragorn.
"Merin le telim," (I wish we may come with you) Aragorn replied.
Again, Haldir answered quietly, so only Aragorn could hear him.
"Henio, aníron bow ammen i dulu lîn!" (Please, understand, we need your support!) Aragorn told the Elf angrily. Legolas looked over at Frodo, whose eyes turned uncomfortably away. The Elf had no idea why the hobbit wouldn't meet anyone's eyes. He tuned back into the conversation to hear Aragorn start pleading.
"Andelu i ven," (The road is very dangerous) the Ranger beseeched. There was a pause before Haldir walked over to where the hobbits, Boromir, and Gimli sat.
"You will follow me," Haldir said.
The tall Elf led the Fellowship on a path through the golden woods. Legolas followed Haldir until he came to a stop, just outside the forest, looking over a great glade of green and gold trees.
"Caras Galadhon . . . the heart of Elvendom on earth," Haldir announced proudly. "Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light."
Legolas couldn't help but look all around as they climbed their way through the huge trees. Their surroundings were beautiful as the last rays of the evening sun streamed through the canopy of leaves onto the broad trunks. They continued to ascend the path until well after nightfall. At last they came to a grand palace in the trees, aglow with silvery lights. Legolas looked up to see two people, a woman and a man, descending to meet them, a radiance surrounding them. Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn walked regally down the steps, hand in hand. The Fellowship stood staring in awe. Aragorn bowed his head and touched his hand to his forehead reverently. The light dimmed so the Fellowship could see the Lord and Lady clearly.
"The enemy knows you have entered here," Lord Celeborn said in greeting. "What hope you had in secrecy is now gone."
Legolas glanced over at Aragorn; he looked disappointed and unsure.
"Eight there are here, yet nine there were set out from Rivendell," Celeborn noted. Legolas's head snapped up and his eyes drifted from the ground to Aragorn's face. The Ranger looked up and met Galadriel's eyes. "Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him. I can no longer see him from afar."
To Legolas's surprise, instead of one of the Fellowship, the answer game from Lady Galadriel.
"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land," she announced in sorrow while still looking at Aragorn. Legolas looked up at her. "He has fallen into shadow."
Aragorn nodded slightly as Celeborn turned to Galadriel, obviously wondering how she knew this, as were the rest of the Fellowship. Legolas decided to take this opportunity to point out what pulled Gandalf from life to death.
"He was taken by both Shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth," the Elf told her. Celeborn's face displayed evident shock and sadness. "For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."
"Needless we none of the deeds of Gandalf in life," Galadriel corrected. "We do not yet know his whole purpose. Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli, son of Glóin."
Gimli looked up, surprised, at her words.
"For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief."
Legolas and Aragorn glanced at each other, a mixture of emotions showing clear in their eyes. Boromir looked at Galadriel, fighting tears. The Lady gazed back, her eyes glittering. Unable to control his weeping, Boromir turned away.
"What now becomes of this Fellowship?" Celeborn asked. "Without Gandalf, hope is lost."
A moment passed before Galadriel speaks up.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife," she said. "Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all." She glanced around at the Company before continuing. "Yet hope remains while the company is true."
She looked at Sam and smiled.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled," Galadriel advised. "Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace."
Later on, Legolas was walking around in their temporary camp while everyone else settled in. Distantly, singing could be heard and one female voice rose above the others.
"A Olórin i yaresse . . . (Olórin who once was . . .
Mentaner i Numeherui (Sent by the Lords of the West
Tírien i Rómenóri . . . (To guard the Lands of the East . . .)"
The other elves' voices now rose up louder in song.
"Melme nóren sina (Our love for this land
Núra ala (Is deeper than the deeps
Eäro . . . (Of the sea . . .)"
"A lament for Gandalf," Legolas told the others, great sorrow rising once again inside him as it had so many times in the past few hours. He looked over Aragorn sharpening his sword next to Gimli and caught his eye. He knew Aragorn could see the anguish in his eyes.
"What do they say about him?" Merry asked quietly, setting up his bed. Legolas acted like he was listening to the song again; he was really trying to determine whether or not he should tell the young hobbit. Finally he turned back to Merry.
"I have not the heart to tell you," the Elf replied, truthfully and sadly. "For me, the grief is still too near."
Legolas looked down at the ground for a moment before turning his gaze back up to the stars and continuing to listen to the mournful song.
". . .Maiaron i Oiosaila, (Wisest of all Maiar,
Manan elye etevanne (What drove you to leave
Nórie i malanelye? (That which you loved?)
Ilfirin nairelma (Yet we will cast all away
Ullume nucuvalme (Rather than submit
Nauva i nauva . . . (What should be shall be . . .)"
Sam then leant down to make his bed after listening to the Elvish song.
"I bet they don't mention his fireworks," Sam muttered to Merry. "There should be a verse in there about them."
After a moment, Sam stood up and faced the others, who were all observing him curiously. All except Gimli, who, Legolas noted, was snoring away in sleep.
"The finest rockets ever seen,
They burst in stars of blue and green . . ."
Just then, Gimli snored loudly. Irritated, Legolas exchanged an aggravated glance with Aragorn, who raised an eyebrow as Sam continued his poem. Legolas listened to the hobbit but kept his eyes on Aragorn.
"Or after thunder . . . silver showers . . ."
After another snort from the dwarf, Aragorn rolled his eyes and, annoyed, turned and swatted Gimli's pillow, causing him to grunt, but otherwise was undisturbed. Legolas smirked at the exasperated look on Aragorn's face.
"Came falling like a . . . rain of flowers . . ." Sam finished before squatting back down. "Oh, that doesn't do them justice by a long road," he muttered. Legolas allowed a small smile to flit onto his face at the hobbit's embarrassment before gazing back over at Aragorn. He saw the Ranger look around from his place next to Gimli. Then, he stood up and walked over to Boromir, who was sitting alone on a great tree root, lost deeply in thought as the lament continued.
". . . Ú-reniathach (No more will you wander
I amar galen (The green fields of this earth
I reniad lín ne môr, nuithannen. (Your journey has ended in darkness.)"
Legolas heard Aragorn speak quietly to Boromir.
"Take some rest. These borders are well protected."
"I will find no rest here," Boromir replied a bit savagely. "I heard her voice inside my head. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said to me, 'Even now, there is hope left.' But I cannot see it. It is long since we had any hope."
Aragorn sat down next to Boromir as the man continued.
"My father is a noble man, but his rule is failing," Boromir confessed. "And now our . . . our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right and I – I would do it. I would see the glory of Gondor restored."
He sighed heavily.
"Have you ever seen it, Aragorn?" Boromir asked earnestly. "The White Tower of Ecthelion, glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver. Its banners caught high in the morning breeze. Have you ever been called home by the clear ringing of the silver trumpets?"
"I have seen the White City, long ago," Aragorn replied after a moment.
"One day, our paths will lead us there," Boromir told him promisingly. "And the tower guard shall take up the call: 'The Lords of Gondor have returned!' "
Aragorn smiled slightly in response before turning and looking Legolas directly in the eye.
Later that night, Legolas came down with a bit of insomnia and was wandering around aimlessly. Eventually, he came to a secluded balcony. He leant upon the railing thinking about the events of the day. Once again, immense anguish swept over him. He couldn't help but turn his thoughts to his longtime friend. It was these thoughts that he was lost in when he felt a pair of strong arms wrap around his waist.
"How long have you been there?" Legolas asked him, turning to look deeply into Aragorn's eyes. The Ranger smiled.
"Long enough to, once again, become well aware of how utterly gorgeous you are," Aragorn replied sweetly. He leaned forward and placed a loving kiss onto the Elf's lips. Before the kiss could turn into anything more passionate, Aragorn broke it off and looked into Legolas's bright blue eyes.
"What have you been thinking about, my Elf?" he asked quietly, drawing Legolas to him. Legolas sighed and, draping his arms around Aragorn's neck, laid his head on the taller man's shoulder.
"I haven't had this feeling in a long time, not with anyone I knew," Legolas replied almost inaudibly, turning and burying his face in Aragorn's neck.
"What feeling, Legolas?" Aragorn inquired, gently pulling the Elf's face by his chin up to look him in the eye. "You know you can tell me anything."
Legolas hesitated before replying.
"Death," he whispered, tears welling in his eyes. Aragorn's breath hitched in his throat and he pulled his love close. Legolas squeezed his eyes shut and buried his face back in Aragorn's neck as the tears started to fall.
"Shh, it's okay," Aragorn sighed soothingly. "It's going to be okay."
For a reason unbeknownst to Legolas, Aragorn's words angered him.
"No, it won't, Aragorn!" Legolas cried, pushing away from him. The Ranger looked confused. "Don't you see? Gandalf's gone. We don't know what to do now! We don't know where to go! We have no idea what we're to do next!"
"Legolas, keep your voice down. We don't want anyone to hear us," Aragorn warned, looking around. As angry and emotional that Legolas was, he knew that Aragorn was right. He took a deep breath to calm himself. "Besides, I know where we're to go. Gandalf revealed our path to me before we entered Moria."
Legolas looked at him curiously.
"Gandalf thought we needed to enter Mordor from the north," Aragorn told him, walking closer. "Even though it means picking a route through Emyn Muil and all the marshlands, he thought it would be the safest route."
"And . . . you're sure?" Legolas asked uncertainly, stepping into Aragorn's comforting arms.
"Positive," the Ranger replied. He kissed Legolas's temple and pulled him close. Legolas sighed in contentment.
"Do you remember how we first got together?" Aragorn asked quietly. Legolas smirked and looked up at him.
"I was taking a leisurely walk through Rivendell when I heard this voice call my name," Aragorn reminisced. "'Estel! Estel, come here! I have something to show you!' it called. I turned around and there you were. The sun shining down on you. It made you look like an angel. You were so excited. Your cheeks were all flushed and you kept beckoning to me. Now, here my inquisitive and curious nature came into play. With all your enthusiasm, how could I not want to see what you desired to show me?"
Legolas snorted and lightly shoved the other man.
"You had a crush on me and you didn't want to give me the wrong impression," the Elf accused indignantly.
"Well, yes, there was that, too," Aragorn conceded. "But either way, I followed you and once we were in the trees, you grabbed me by the hand and held tight, guiding me through the forest. After what seemed like forever, you finally reached where you wanted to go, a tiny, isolated clearing. You pulled me into it, whirled me around, and kissed me."
Legolas smiled as the memory came flooding back.
"That one right there is my favorite memory," Aragorn told the Elf. "When I'm depressed or sad, I just think about it . . . or I think about you. And everything's better."
Aragorn's hands strayed to Legolas's hips. Even through the fabric of his clothing, Legolas could feel them burn right to his skin.
"You're my savior, Legolas," Aragorn confided into Legolas's ear. Aragorn brushed his hand against Legolas's cheek and brought it around to rest on the back of the Elf's neck. Legolas looked deep into Aragorn's eyes for a moment before kissing him fervently. Aragorn kissed just as passionately back and, keeping the kiss unbroken, unceremoniously pushed Legolas against a nearby wall of the balcony. Being cornered only led Legolas to kiss more possessively.
Aragorn unbuttoned the top of Legolas's shirt and began branding the Elf's collarbone with his lips. He was rewarding with sighing moans escaping from Legolas's lips. Impatiently, Legolas wrenched his lover's mouth back up to meet his out as he laced his fingers in Aragorn's hair. Aragorn pulled Legolas's body against his own and maneuvered his tongue into Legolas's mouth. The Ranger elicited a sigh from Legolas as their tongues battled. The kiss was getting more and more heated by the second until . . .
"Well, this is a way I never thought of before to rest," said Galadriel with a twinkle in her eye as she paused by the two lovers. Legolas and Aragorn broke apart, both red in the face from kissing.
"We've only recently discovered it, but find that it's most relaxing," Legolas replied pleasantly, buttoning up his shirt. Galadriel merely smiled and left. Aragorn and Legolas looked at each other, grinning, before kissing once more and walking hand-in-hand back to camp.
Author's Notes: Whoo-hoo! Ten pages! That's one of my longest out of all that I've written so far, I think, on this penname and my other one. Anyway, what did you guys think? Any remarks? Suggestions? And does anyone want to be my beta? I need one. : -D